The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-30
tHE f'fS flSe3
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 80.
THE KINGS SECRET;
Feridoon, the Lion-Hearted
BY AUSTIN c. BURDIoK.


age that has long since passed away, none
exceed in extent, in wealth or in grandeur,
Persepolis, the chief capital of ancient Per-
STA. AT the foot of the steep, rugged noun
tain was extended wide plain watered by
a goodly river. Upon all sides this plain
was shut in by high cliffs of rock, looming
darkly in the distance, leaving the level
space some five and twenty miles in length,
and upon this was the city built, occupying
the whole vast area.
The wealth of the royal palace almost ex-
ceeded belief. 1t was vast structure serv-
ing not only for the royal residence but also
for citadel and bulwark. Its colonnade Oh
massive pillars still stands, and is fit object
of wonder. The interior of the kingly abode
was literally cased with gold and precious
stones, and to count or estimate the wealth
there displayed were task beyond the abil-
ity of one man.
Truly the king Of Persia had wealth, for
his capital contained within itself the wealth
of a nation. And he had power, for thou
sands on thousands bowed down to do him
homage, and princes and potentates ac-
knowledged his authority.
Next in importance among the palaces OF
Persepolis to that of the king was the palace
of RuStein, one of the most powerful SatrapS
or governors, of the realm. Rustem was now
past the meridian of life, but still strong and
vigorous, and fond of all those manly sports
which were the delight Of the warrior race Of
that period He was q fav0rlte OF the king,
q friend to those who bowed TO nm, and
sometimes generous and benevolent TO the
poor. lie could be warm and ardent in his
attachments, and he could love with bis
whole heart but there was no principle, no
moral obligation felt by him. He was the
slave of impulse, and the owner Of a will that
would not bend. Very slight causes would
arouse his anger and hate.
Above all things else did he love to be hon.
ored and obeyed and flattered. Disobey him
and be was your enemy; trample upon his
authority and his hate was deadly. Under
such circumstances the friendship of years
would be cast off in an instant, and his dag
ger might seek the very heart that he had
hung upon in love for a long, long while.
Such was Rustem, and such was the man
upon whom the king relied for much OF his
power and advice. OF course such man
would have many frienas and some enemies
he would have strong friends and enemies
most bitter.
One thing alone troubled Rustem exceed
ingly.
He had yet no children.
He bad married many wives, but no heir
came yet to inherit his title and his wealth.
He at times wished that some one would give
him a child, for he felt that there was very
large space in his heart at present unoccupied
Perhaps ii was so, for the satrap had now
passed over so years of maturity-30 years
had passed away since he became of pater-
nal age, and during all that time he had
prayed for child
1t was a morning in early summer.
Rustem had been engaged one whole month
in business for the king, and now he was de-
termined TO have some recreation.
He took with him, 20 men in all, armed
with axes spears. bows and knives, and with
the best horses the kingdom could afford he
set out. His course was to the northeast,
towards the HetZendarra mountains, where
there were to be found all sorts of wild game
even camels and buffalos. The first night
Rustem stopped at a little hamlet at the foot
of the mountains, where lived some peasants
and hunters, having ridden over so miles
from the great city. The poor people here
knew him well and he was treated with
much respect.
In the evening, after wine had been drank
and supper eaten, an old hunter named Bal,
who mad ranged over the mountains many
years in search of game, made movement
as though he would speak with the satrap.
What is it?" asked Rustem, who noticed
the movement
81 wisht to tell your excellency of most
curious animal that dwells among the noun
tains."
"Ah," uttered Rastem, who was ever on
hand for anything curious or wonderful, Ego
on and tell me, good Bal"
1T is a most curious animal, sir, and such
an one as / never saw before. | first saw IL
about three weeks ago, and several times
have | seen it since; but l can not get near
it. Once | was near enough to throw my
javelin. threw it with all my might, and the
animal caught it In his paws and broke it in
pieces. Then he commenced to hurl great
rocks at me. and / was forced to retreat"
''But how does the animal look?" asked
Rustem. who had become much interested.
"Why, he looks something like a huge
monkey. He runs sometimes on all f0urs,
but he runs the fastest when erect, But the
most curious thing is that he is always with
a flock of wild goats. and he seems bent
on protecting these goats IN preference 10
himself"
1T must be some afrite or some ghoul,"
said Rustem.
$50 have thought added the old hunter
with an involuntary shudder.
"And yet must find him." resumed the
satrap. You shall 60 with me tomorrow.
Bal, and we win surround and capture the
thing"
This was agreed to, and at an early hour
the party retired. All night did Rustem
strange animal of which he had heard,
From Balls description he thought it might
be some wicked afrite or genie who tnus
wandered among the mountains, and debated
much within himself whether 1t would De
safe to attack such power. But ne had
said that he would hunt for it, and he wished
not his followers to think him cowardly; and
besides, his curiosity was wonderfully ex-
cited, and he wished to satisfy it.
In the morning the satrap was ready De-
times, and at an early hour his party set out
accompanied by Bal. Shortly they began
to ascend the mountain, and though the way
was rugged and dubious, yet Bal led them up
surely. When they reached the top OF the
first mountain they saw vale ahead OF them
in which the grass grew luxurlantly, and
which was Woodpd mostly with treSS of the
pistachio nut.
animal, and so the party descended into 1t,
but nothing was TO be found save some birds
two large birds with his srrows, and then
kept on. Bal now led them over the top Of
another mountain, and from thence through
a long, rugged, winding rayine, and not I'M
til noon did they reach another vale where
vegetation was plenty. But when they did
reach this second vale, they found it not only
more extensive than the FIRST but far more
beautiful. 1t was a sort of a basin Of rich
soil, amid the surrounding mountains OF
rock, aud it was seldom visited by man on
account of the rugged way that led to IL, and
from the fact that very few knew the only
path by which it could be reached.
After viewing the beautiful place for some
minutes, the party began slowly to descend
towards it. They saw many wild goats
frisking about among the trees, and just as
LuC1 lCdSn0Q AhS OAtSS VI VIC paw ANY 0b~aS y
ed up wild boar.
Rnstem saw the huge animal start, and
with a shout to his followers, he set forward
upon the chase.
Away went the boar, and away went the
satrap, and behind him came the score of
men, eager for the sport. The boar ran a
long distance among bushes and rank weeds,
and all needless of scratches and rending
garments, RuStem followed on.
AT length they came to an open space, and
wnen the the boar was half way across the
satrap let fly a jayelin; the weapon struck
the monster just behind the shoulder, and he
turned He rolled over upon the grass, and
this served to drive the javelin further into
his flesh. Rustem had watched his move
ments, and as soon as he rolled over upon
the ground the noble hunter sprang from
his horse, and running quickly up, he gave
the animal blow upon the forehead with
his axe that stunned him.
After this the brute was easily despatched.
Rustem was now all elate and eager. He
was fired with enthusiasm, and was ready to
attack anything that should present itself
AS soon as the boar was dead the satrap re-
mounted his horse, and at that moment
shout from Bal arrested him.
''rhere, therew cried the old hunter, rush.
ing towards the noble, and at the same time
pointing off towards point where herd Of
goats were huddled together.
Rustem looked, and he saw in the midst
of the goats the animal of which Bal had
spoken. He at first approached it carefully,
and found it to be standing upright Its
III ~ I'll -